I was lucky enough to pick up some of these beauties (Epiplatys chevalieri). Can anyone who has kept them before give me any tips on rearing and breeding them? From the little literature on the web about them apparently they are difficult to maintain in an aquarium, is this true?
Here is a pic of them still in the bag:
Kind regards
Cameron James
Interesting species Cameron, but it seems you should worry about nitrate poisoning more. Extra info here:
http://www.killifish.f9.co.uk/Killif...chevalieri.htm
Frequent water changes should help you out nicely here.
I have never kept this species before, only having kept Epiplatys togolensis for a long time without any successful spawnings about a year ago.
Fish.. Simply Irresistable
Back to Killies... slowly.
Thanks for the link Stormhawk.Originally Posted by stormhawk
I disagree with you on that point. I am much more successful with Killies when water changes are kept to an absolute minimum, the tank is completely covered with plants which keeps it free from Nitrates. The only time new water goes in the tank is for top-ups. This particular species came from such a setup and they were spawning much better in there.
Do you still have them? A very beautiful fish indeed. Why do you think the spawnings were not successful?
Regards
Cameron
Hi Cameron,
On the water changing bit, that's what Tim's site says so I'm quoting directly from the info given. If you feel it should be done differently, it's your fish, your choice.
As for the togolensis, nope I don't keep these anymore. I was unsuccessful in spawning them. The males were extremely aggressive towards the females. I did get some eggs but they were usually fungused when I found them. Probably the males were either too old or not very fertile when I got them.
If I recall correctly, Ronnie had a small shoal of these togolensis as well, but I think his did not spawn either or he eventually lost them. Either way I've not been to Ronnie's house in a very long time, hence I'll leave him to answer about the togolensis at his home.
The origins of these togolensis were rather weird. I got these from a commercial import into Singapore that originated from Germany. They appeared at around the same time that Tim mentioned the togolensis appearing in the UK. From the pictures he took and self-observation of my individual males, they were without a doubt, Ep. togolensis.
Fish.. Simply Irresistable
Back to Killies... slowly.
One should'nt believe everything they read, especially web based articles about KilliesHi Cameron,
On the water changing bit, that's what Tim's site says so I'm quoting directly from the info given. If you feel it should be done differently, it's your fish, your choice.
The reason I disagreed with you/website link is that the breeder of these fish specifically showed me the setup they were in and explained exactly what was going on in the tank. It's a filterless (not even an airstone) setup of maybe 5-6 gallons, normal riversand substrate and loads of hornwort. In fact so much hornwort you could hardly see the fish. Fish are fed live food mostly but also a bit of high quality powdered fish food. They were spawning quite readily and also looking very healthy and bright. I'm trying to replicate this setup at home and so far so good. It was a four hour drive home from the breeders farm and although they were in a cooler box the water must have been in the mid thirties by the time we got back into Johannesburg city!! I was quite concerned about the fish, I dripped them for about an hour and a half and then let them into the tank, not one loss, all looking fine and healthyThis routine/setup works very well for me so I'll just keep on doing it
I'm not an expert on why eggs get fungused but besides for old fish your water temp and hardness also could have played a role in this?
Okie Dokie, hopefully Ronwill can tell us a little bit more about them.
Thanks Stormhawk
Regards
Cameron
Ah, well the hornwort most definitely helped in keeping the tank free of nitrates. If I'm not wrong, Ronnie had an explosion in young australes when the breeders were kept in a large 4foot tank that had huge clumps of hornwort growing in it.
No idea as to why the eggs fungused. Just unlucky I guess. The ones I had were really full-sized adults. The males were huge but sadly they hammered the females badly.
Fish.. Simply Irresistable
Back to Killies... slowly.
I have nothing useful to add about the fish, so I'll just sit in the corner and drool over the pics.
E. chevalieri is fairly high up on my list of "killies to keep before I'm done".
Hi Cameron.
Don't know much about this fish but from article's I've read (and vaguely remember) they do best in a permanent setup or spawning on maps but NEVER youch the eggs. Having lots of surface plants will help. They prefer temperatures of 24degC and up from what I recall.
I can try find out more... if I have time.
Keep well
Hi Cameron,
Nice group of Ep. chevalieri you've got there and you did good using drip acclimatization. Not much to contribute but I'll bet their breeding method isn't far off from those Goa Killies (Aplochelius Kirchmayeri) and Aplochelius panchax (Blue Panchax) from Madan. The Blue Panchax was originally discussed here.
IIRC, they are not particularly demanding with water parameters and with a varied diet and live food (including flies), will condition up quickly. A few floating mops, some floaters and hiding space from a over-zealous male, I don't forsee you having any problems. Get a cover too since my gut feeling tells me they spook easy and will jump.
As for the togolensis, I gave them away and that's a long time ago and sorry, can't remember to who either.
I'm back & keeping 'em fingers wet,
Ronnie Lee
Thanks to all for the replies.
A quick update:
These fish are prolific. 2 Days ago I pulled 18 eggs from the mops and I see that there are also some fry swimming about in the tank among the moss! I see above that Tyrone mentions to not touch the eggs (OOPS) as I presume they will fungus. I'll see how it goes with the 18 eggs over the next couple of weeks and report back.
Ronwill: You mention they eat flies, dead or alive?
retro_gk: It seems like I will have alot of these fish in the near future so if you're interested I would be willing to send you some eggs if you like?
Thanks again to all who replied, and by the way, Happy New Year everyone!
Kind regards
Cameron
Cameron, who said anything about swatting flies? If you're keen, try culturing vestigial drosophila ('wingless' fruit flies) or make a fly trap.You mention they eat flies, dead or alive?
In this thread, there's a diagram how to make one and also how to 'harvest'. Let me know how it works out for you.
I'm back & keeping 'em fingers wet,
Ronnie Lee
Oh man, that's just too funny, sorry for the mix up Ronwill, unless you say 'Fruit flies' and not just flies I always default to those big black ugly flies. Ahem, please excuse my lapse of reason, obviously my mind is still on December holidayCameron, who said anything about swatting flies? If you're keen, try culturing vestigial drosophila ('wingless' fruit flies) or make a fly trap.You mention they eat flies, dead or alive?
In this thread, there's a diagram how to make one and also how to 'harvest'. Let me know how it works out for you.
Thanks for the link, if I ever come across a culture I'll be sure to try it out.
Regards
Cameron
Great news Cameron! I would love to get some eggs from you when you have sufficient numbers.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks